Denver Nuggets: 3 reasons for concern in 2019 NBA Playoffs
1. Nights of cold shooting
The Nuggets have won seven of their last 10 games, but in their three losses, they’ve shot 36.7 percent. They’re 10th in the NBA this season in defensive rating, but the offenses are only going to get better in the playoffs. If their offense goes cold multiple times in a series, is their defense going to be able to slow down opposing teams enough to keep them in it?
Major offensive cogs like Gary Harris and Jamal Murray have had long stretches this season where they were extremely cold, and they brought down the team around them. Jokic is the driving force for this team, but he works best with shooters spacing the floor for him to work at the free throw line. If the guys on the outside aren’t hitting shots, it’s going to congest the floor for their cutters, which will hurt their production.
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Defense does receive that increased importance in the playoffs, but it’s still not enough to ward off cold shooting nights by the offense. What if their offense goes cold when an opponent is feeling it? Their likely second round opponent, the Houston Rockets, can put up 140 any given night. Will the Nuggets be able to hang with them consistently? They need to hope they stay hot in the playoffs, or their run could end rather abruptly.